FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Megan Meister 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org megan.meister@dallasopera.org
THE DALLAS OPERA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
THE COMPANY HAS ACHIEVED A BALANCED OPERATING RESULT,
TWO YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE!
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TDO Achieves First Balanced Operating Budget Since 2005
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Company to Present Four Operas
During 2014-15 Season, in Addition to Everest,
A Dallas Opera World Premiere
DALLAS, TX, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 – The Dallas Opera is extremely proud to announce today that the company has achieved its first balanced operating budget since Fiscal 2005, a full two years ahead of schedule. The company’s latest fiscal year ended on June 30th.
Exactly two years ago, the Dallas Opera faced its most severe financial crisis in modern company history, prompting the TDO Board and General Director and CEO Keith Cerny, who assumed the role in May of 2010, to initiate an aggressive restructuring of company operations. This included the difficult step of cancelling one of the mainstage operas of the 2011-2012 Season, and reducing the 2012-2013 Season to three mainstage operas. These steps were taken as part of a multi-year plan to restore the company’s financial health while maintaining artistic quality, and to achieve a balanced operating budget no later than the end of the 2014-2015 Season.
The subsequent outpouring of board, trustee and public support allowed the company to build a base of multi-year donor commitments, to secure major new gifts, earn an anonymous $10 million dollar match (through an equal amount in donations to the Cultural Renaissance Endowment Fund), dramatically reduce costs without sacrificing overall artistic quality, and steadily reduce the company’s deficits.
In recent fiscal years, TDO donors made significant, multi-year gifts while many other donors increased their level of giving in recognition of the Dallas Opera’s commitment to the highest standards of artistic quality, strict financial discipline and a demonstrated ability to adapt to the changing marketplace.
At the same time, the company moved boldly ahead with plans for two free Cowboys Stadium Simulcasts that attracted close to 30,000 patrons, and several new productions (including critically acclaimed versions of Tristan & Isolde, The Lighthouse and The Aspern Papers) in addition to two upcoming world premieres: Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s EVEREST slated for February of 2015, followed in October 2015 by the world premiere of Jake Heggie (Moby-Dick) and Terrence McNally’s first new opera together in more than a decade, GREAT SCOTT, which will star world-renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.
After careful analysis, the Board and Dallas Opera’s administrative leadership took the necessary steps to put the company’s financial house in order to provide a foundation for continued artistic success. Aided by unwavering donor and community support, the Dallas Opera last season gave music lovers throughout North Texas outstanding performances of AIDA, TURANDOT, the chamber opera BON APPÉTIT and THE ASPERN PAPERS, while demonstrating our ability to balance the books and plan for expanded future seasons. This gave the Dallas Opera the firm footing required to return to a four-opera season (with an additional world premiere) in 2013-2014, the first season entirely planned under the direction of Keith Cerny.
“However, it’s vital that we not lose our momentum because our task is far from finished,” explains Mr. Cerny. “We must remain resolute in meeting all future financial and fund-raising goals while continuing to engage every sector of the community in TDO’s quest for new and more diverse audiences.
“Even in our most difficult days, during which we cut TDO’s full-time administrative staff by more than fifteen percent, we committed ourselves to expanding the Dallas Opera’s community outreach and education programs, dramatically increasing the number of students served and introducing entire families to the excitement of this unique art form.
“While no one can predict the future of the economy,” he adds, “with astute leadership from the Dallas Opera Board and Trustees and the support of all our loyal patrons, we can continue to build on these hard-fought achievements in seasons to come.”
Noted Dallas Opera Board Chairman T. Peter Townsend:
“On behalf of the Board and everyone at the Dallas Opera, I want to express our thanks for the grassroots community support of the company—as well as the encouragement we receive from our patrons to maintain extraordinarily high artistic standards in every production, and from our peers in the Arts District as we continue to explore ways to make our collective organizations even more cost-efficient and responsive.
“I also want to express my gratitude to the members of the Dallas Opera’s dedicated staff who contribute every day to the success of this company.
“The esteemed London-based publication, Opera, in a rave review of our recent production of The Aspern Papers, wrote this month that the Winspear ‘quite justifiably…has come to be recognized as America’s finest opera house.’ It is only fitting that the Dallas Opera should constantly strive to create the finest performances imaginable in this beautiful gift from—and to—the people of Texas.”
RECENT FINANCIAL MILESTONES FOR TDO:
- Cut operating expenses by reducing the core TDO season from six performances per production to five by combining existing audiences for Friday night performances and altered other key aspects of the Dallas Opera’s business model.
- Raised $10 million in donations for the Cultural Renaissance Endowment Fund in order to secure a $10 million anonymous match.
- Created a new giving category at the Dallas Opera, “The General Director’s Circle” to recognize donors willing to commit for a minimum of three years, generating more than $7 million in pledges.
- Steadily reduced the company’s operating deficit each season and paid-off seasonal lines of credit.
- Secured generous major gifts in addition to the $10 million from an anonymous donor for TDO’s Endowment Fund: Texas Instruments and Texas Instruments Foundation with gifts totaling over half a million dollars; the Elsa von Seggern Foundation with gifts totaling nearly $600,000 and another $500,000 from Crow Holdings; as well as other major gifts, yet to be announced.
- Instituted a new chamber opera series allowing the company to take performances outside the traditional opera house to more intimate settings including the Wyly Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theater and the Dallas Farmer’s Market Demonstration Kitchen.
- Attracted additional new donors through the introduction of innovative technologies and delivery systems, including two groundbreaking Cowboys Stadium Simulcasts.
- Elevated the efficiency level of TDO both on and off-stage and continue to explore other means to cut costs and save on day-to-day operations.
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The 2013-2014 “By Love Transformed” Season officially opens with our first CARMEN to be performed in the critically acclaimed acoustic of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. This will be the Dallas Opera’s sixth production of CARMEN in our 56-year-history. Bizet’s masterpiece will be conducted by Maestro Emmanuel Villaume, the esteemed new music director of the Dallas Opera, in his thrilling debut in that role. Previously, Maestro Villaume appeared at the Dallas Opera podium to conduct productions of Gounod’s Faust (1998) and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (2002).
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Subscriptions for the Dallas Opera’s 2013-2014 “By Love Transformed” Season are on sale now, starting at just $76 for all four mainstage productions, through the Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or online at www.dallasopera.org.
Single tickets are on sale now, starting at just $19. Student Rush best-available tickets can be purchased at the lobby box office for $25 to $50, depending on the section, (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance.
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EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “SEPTEMBER AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS
For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print
To arrange an interview
Or for additional information
Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Director Media & Public Relations
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
The Dallas Opera’s 2013-2014 “By Love Transformed” Season
Is Sponsored by Texas Instruments Foundation
THE DALLAS OPERA WISHES TO EXPRESS ITS GRATITUDE TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS:
AMERICAN AIRLINES – OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
LEXUS – OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
Ticket Information for the 2013-2014 Dallas Opera Season
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Subscriptions are now on sale to the general public, starting at just $76. Single Tickets starting at $19 and Flex Subscriptions are also on sale. Family performances are $5 (Family Performance Subs are $12 for three family performances) and are on sale now. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2013-2014 SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-SeventhInternational Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired.
CARMEN by Georges Bizet
October 25 (special time, 8:00 p.m.), October 27(m), 30, November 2, 8 & 10(m), 2013
The most irresistible bad girl in opera—How can you possibly say “non”?
An opera in four acts first performed in Paris on March 3, 1875
Text by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy based on the novella by Prosper Mérimée
Time: 19th century
Place: Seville, Spain
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Chris Alexander
Scenic Design: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Costume Design: Werner Iverke
Lighting Design: Thomas Hase
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Children’s Chorus Master: Melinda Cotten
Starring: Clémentine Margaine**(Carmen), Brandon Jovanovich (Don José Oct. 25, 27, 30), Bruno Ribeiro* (Don José Nov. 2, 8, 10), Mary Dunleavy (Micaëla), Dwayne Croft (Escamillo), Danielle Pastin*(Frasquita), Audrey Babcock*(Mercédès), Kyle Albertson*(Zuniga), Steven LaBrie (Le Dancaïre), William Ferguson* (Remendado), John David Boehr*(Moralès).
DEATH AND THE POWERS by Tod Machover
February 12, 14, 15 & 16(m), 2014
Science fiction and poignant family drama combine in a major regional premiere!
An opera in one act first performed in Monte Carlo, Monaco at the Salle Garnier on September 24, 2010.
Text by Robert Pinsky, based on a story by Pinsky and Randy Weiner
Time: Unknown time in the future
Place: Earth, the home of billionaire Simon Powers
Conductor: Nicole Paiement
Stage Director: Diane Paulus*
Associate Director: Andrew Eggert*
Scenic Design: Alex McDowell*
Costume Design: David Woolard*
Lighting Design: Don Holder
Choreography: Karole Armitage*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Starring: Robert Orth (Simon Powers/Robot One), Joélle Harvey (Miranda/Robot Four), Patricia Risley(Evvy/Robot Three), Hal Cazalet*(Nicholas/Robot Two), Frank Kelley*(The United Way), David Kravitz*(The United Nations), Tom McNichols*(The Administration).
DIE TOTE STADT (“THE DEAD CITY”) by Erich Wolfgang Korngold
March 21, 23(m), 26, 29 and April 6(m), 2014
The Hitchcock-like tale of one man’s dark obsession with the woman he loved and lost.
An opera in three acts first performed in Hamburg & Cologne, Germany on December 4, 1920
Text by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Paul Schott based on a novel by Georges Rodenbach, Bruges la morte
Time: End of the 19th century
Place: The city of Bruges in northwestern Belgium
Conductor: Sebastian Lang-Lessing*
Stage Director: Mikael Melbye
Scenic Design: Mikael Melbye*
Costume Design: Dierdre Clancy*
Video Design: Wendall Harrington*
Lighting Design: Mark McCullough
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Choreography: Matthew Ferraro*
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Anne Petersen**(Marietta) , Jay Hunter Morris (Paul), Morgan Smith (Fritz), Weston Hurt (Frank), Katherine Tier*(Brigitta), Andrew Bidlack (Albert), Jan Lund**(Victorin), Jennifer Chung (Juliette), Angela Turner Wilson (Lucienne).
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE by Gioachino Rossini
March 28, 30(m), April 2, 5, 11 & 13(m), 2014
Figaro, a scheming barber and jack-of-all-trades plots to release a headstrong girl from her gilded cage!
An opera in two acts first performed in Rome on February 20, 1816
Text by Pierre-Augustin de Beaumarchais, from his comedy Le Barbier de Séville
Time: 18th century
Place: Seville, Spain
Conductor: Giuliano Carella*
Stage Director: Herb Kellner
Original Production: John Copley
Scenic Design: John Conklin
Costume Design: Michael Stennet
Lighting Design: TBD
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Nathan Gunn (Figaro), Isabel Leonard*(Rosina), Alek Shrader*(Count Almaviva), Donato DiStefano (Dr. Bartolo), Burak Bilgili*(Don Basilio), Nathan De’Shon Myers (Fiorello), Christian Teague*(Ambrogio).
DALLAS OPERA FAMILY PERFORMANCES
Jack and the Beanstalk: October 26, 2013 and April 5, 2014
Family Concerts: November 3, 2013 and February 1, 2014
The Elixir of Love: November 9, 2013 and April 12, 2014
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.
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